Fluorescent Lighting Install Tips from Schmeg.com

  

FLUORESCENT FIXTURES-
Fluorescent lights are low wattage and very popular in kitchens or baths. You can also install them exposed or hidden with a valance or soffit to suit your needs. They can also be ganged together or linked with cable to provide continuous strips or cluster of lighting.

The three main parts of a fluorescent fixture are a fluorescent tube (which may be straight or circular), a starter, and a ballast. There are also three types of fluorescent lamps: preheat, rapid-start, and instant start.

In the preheat type, the starter is separate from the ballast and is replaceable without removing the ballast. Rapid-start models have the starter built right into the ballast, and instant-start futures have no starter. While the latter lights are less common than the other types; they are distinguishable by the use of tubes with a single pin at each end. When installing or replacing a fluorescent fixture, you have several common designs to choose from.

Circular Fixtures-
In the center of the ceiling box, add a threaded stud, if one is not present. The fixture hangs on this stud. Add a reducing nut to the stud. Have a helper hold the f fixture while you connect the power wires: black to black, white to white. Wire nut the splices and wrap them with electrician's tape. Push the wires into the box, thread the nipple through the hole in the center of the fixture, and secure the fixture with a cap nut.

One-Tube Designs. You will need a hickey and nipple if the box has a stud. If not, you can attach the fixture to a nipple and strap screwed to the ears in the box. First splice the fixture wires to the house wires, wire nut the splices, and wrap the splices with plastic electrician's tape. Then attach the fixture to the ceiling box with the nipple, a washer, and a locknut. Have a helper hold the fixture while you assemble and fasten it to the ceiling box. When the fixture is stable, drive a couple of sheet-metal screws through the fixture housing into the ceiling at each end.

Multi-Tube Models. Fixtures with more than two tubes usually have a center cutout that is used when hanging the fixture from an octagonal box. The fixture uses a stud, hickey, nipple, and a mounting strap inside the housing. The assembly is held with a locknut. Connect the wiring with wire nuts. Then push the wires into the box and secure the fixture. Sometimes new fluorescent futures will flutter or one or all lights will barely light. This is usually due to the tube not being properly installed. Check your specific instruction about replacing tubes. Pay particular attention to specifications about turning or twisting the tube into place to get the best connection.

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